Robert J. Peters

1936 - 2024

Robert J. Peters
03/05/1936 - 05/06/2024
Robert Joseph Peters passed away on May 6, 2024 at the memory care unit of Brookdale Chatfield in West Hartford. Bob was a longtime resident of Berlin, where he and his wife Patricia Ann (Munson) bought their "starter" house in 1959 on Percival Avenue in Kensington, and lived there until moving to West Hartford in 2021.
Bob was born in Torrington, CT in 1936 and moved to New Britain at a young age with his parents George and Christine Peters and his two brothers and three sisters. He graduated from New Britain High School in 1954. He was a member of the Air National Guard for a few years when he was a young man. He spent many weekends at Bradley Field, where he liked to joke that he spent a lot of time "guarding empty runways at night."
Bob met Pat when he was recovering in the hospital in New Britain. Pat's brother Norman was also recovering in the hospital and introduced Bob to Pat. They were married in September 1959 and raised two children Beverly and Brian. In the early years of their marriage, Bob owned a few gas stations in New Britain and spent long hours servicing and repairing cars. Eventually Bob left the car repair business and worked for Avis in Windsor Locks before settling into a career as a police officer in Berlin in 1972.
Bob spent several years as a patrol officer, working rotating shifts. He was promoted to be the head (and only member) of the Traffic Division, where his primary responsibility was making sure one-way traffic flowed properly for the 3-day Berlin Fair weekend. Bob developed many good friendships over the years at the Berlin Police Department. He had many stories to tell about police work and his time with fellow officers. Bob also committed time to the police union in Berlin including several years as union president.
Bob loved to socialize and spend time with his family and friends. In the summer, cook-outs with the neighbors were a favorite. He loved to engage in conversation and tell a few stories with many smiles and laughs.
He was a member of the Berlin Lions Club for many years where he helped the community while enjoying the company of fellow townspeople. He dedicated a lot of time volunteering with the Lions at the Memorial Pool and the Berlin Fair. He contributed in many capacities, including as an officer, and held the office of president for two years.
Bob was promoted to Police Sergeant in Berlin and likely would have kept that job until retirement, but he was asked to run for Mayor. He won his first election in 1987. Pat was a bit reluctant but fully supported Bob while he served as Mayor, as she did throughout their entire marriage. He didn't see himself as a politician - he saw himself as a person committed to serving the town and getting the job done. Many others agreed, since he was re-elected three times and ultimately served eight years as Mayor of Berlin. He truly loved serving his community as Mayor. He stepped down when the town decided to hire a town manager rather than have an elected mayor/chief executive, returning to the Berlin Police as a Sergeant and retiring in 1998.
After retirement he helped on the Berlin Republican town committee and served on the Berlin Police Commission for many years, including several as chairman. In 2002, Bob was elected as the 30th district representative to the Connecticut General Assembly where he served one term.
Bob and Pat enjoyed travel and took many trips throughout the US and Europe. For several years after retirement, they spent time in Myrtle Beach for the month of February. Bob particularly enjoyed trips they took as a family with their children and grandchildren. Bob and Pat built a vacation home on Cape Cod in the early 1980's where for many years they loved to host family and friends. The Cape house was a favorite for family Thanksgiving gatherings as well.
Bob and Pat regularly hosted and attended small gatherings and for many years hosted a holiday party. He and Pat enjoyed playing cards with friends and Bob liked watching movies and TV. Bob enjoyed being a Grampa to his grandchildren Hannah and Ethan. He liked visiting them in Maine and hearing about all their adventures as they grew up.
Bob is survived by his daughter Beverly Peters of East Berlin and his son Brian Peters and his wife Christine Manderson of Topsham, Maine. He is also survived by his grandchildren Hannah Peters and Ethan Peters and his wife Anna, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
Bob was predeceased by his wife Patricia Peters of West Hartford (formerly of Berlin), his parents, his sisters and brothers and many brothers and sisters-in-law. Bob was dedicated to his community and was an engaging person who enjoyed the company of good neighbors, friends and family. He will be deeply missed by many.
Bob's family would like to thank the amazing caregivers at Brookdale Chatfield who helped so much over the past three years and the dedicated, caring people at Brighton Hospice.
Visiting hours will be held Tuesday, June 25, 2024 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home of Berlin, 111 Chamberlain Hwy., Berlin. Burial will follow immediately after at Wilcox Cemetery, 273 Berlin St., East Berlin. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in honor of Bob may be made to the Berlin Lions Club, PO Box 23, Kensington, CT 06037 or the Berlin Police K9 Unit, 240 Kensington Rd., Berlin, CT 06037. Please share a memory of Bob with the family in the online guestbook at www.ericksonhansenberlin.com